Obituary of Martha R. Ross

Warrensburg: Martha Rosalia Rhodes Ross, 84, passed away peacefully, Thursday, July 22, 2010, at her home with her sister and niece at her bedside. Born December 14, 1925 in Warrensburg, Martha was the daughter of Anna and Floyd A. Rhodes. She lived on the same street, where she was born, most of her life. Martha graduated form Warrensburg High School in 1944. After graduation she worked for Warren County Social Services for two years before entering Union University School of Nursing at Albany Medical Hospital. After graduation as a Registered Professional Nurse she remained at Albany Medical Center as a Head Nurse. Later Martha worked as a private duty nurse in this area before becoming an Industrial Nurse at Scott Paper Company both in South Glens Falls and Fort Edward. In 1963 she went to Decora Paper Company as Occupational Health Nurse, retiring from there in 1988. On September 20, 1958 she was married to Lionel E. Ross of Warrensburg. They were happily married for 48 years. The couple enjoyed travel and visited England and Hawaii as well as spending part of each winter in Sarasota, Florida. They also enjoyed attending antique auctions and shows on many weekends. Martha enjoyed her collection of rosebowls and miniature doll houses and growing flowers. Martha was a former member of the Baptist Church in Warrensburg, taught Sunday School and sang in the Jubilatte Trio during Rev. Eldon Winans term as pastor. She currently was attending the First Baptist Church in Glens Falls where several of her family are members. She had a long time pen pal relationship with a young school girl in England which started prior to WWII. Martha and Beryl Mountain Lindsay have continued to correspond and talk by phone up to the time of Martha’s recent illness. In later years, Martha added another English pen pal, Betty Edmonds of Nottingham and they have continued to stay in touch up to this time. Both friends have visited Martha in Warrensburg. Martha was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Lionel who passed in 2007. She is survived by her sister, Marie Rhodes Ross of Warrensburg. She is also survived by her nephew, Kim D. Ross, his wife, Julie and their daughter, Caroline of Palm Harbor, Florida, her niece, Tamara Ross Jones, her husband, William and their children, Matthew Jones, his wife, Sarah Jones, MD of Charlottesville, VA, Logan Jones, his wife Jacquie and their daughter Kendal of Gansevoort, Whitney Jones of Los Angeles, CA and Cameron Jones of Lake George, her nephew, Shane L. Ross and his wife Cindy and their daughters, Leah Ross of Queensbury, and Michelle Ross of Brattleboro, VT, and niece, Darcy Ross Karle, her husband William and son Alec of Marstons Mills, MA. Her family would like to thank her long time physician, Philip Gara, Jr, MD of Fort Edward, William Bauer, MD of Glens Falls and High Peaks Hospice for their care and compassion shown to both Martha her family during her illness. Friends may call on Martha’s family from 3-5 pm Sunday at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be conducted 1 pm Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Donald Aubrey, officiating. Martha will be laid to rest in the Warrensburg Cemetery beside her beloved husband, Lionel. Pallbearers will be her nephews, Kim D. Ross, Shane L. Ross, nephew in law, William H. Jones, grand nephews, Matthew K. Jones, Logan M. Jones and Cameron L. Jones. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Martha’s name, are suggested to be made to the First Baptist Church, 100 Maple Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 or the High Peaks Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. 667 Bay Rd., Queensbury, NY 12804. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences and directions.